Customer Reviews

Oracle 8 to 8i Upgrade Exam Cram (Exam: 1Z0-020)

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It seems to me that everyone is happy with the book, but is it really that good? In my opinion it's far from perfect preparation guide for OCP exam. It's true that author covered *almost* all topics from OCP preparation guide, organization of the book is indeed good, questions at the end of each chapter and sample test at the end of the book are real gems. Even typographical errors are almost gone in this edition compared with author previous edition Oracle7 to 8 Upgrade (which was probably not proof read at all).

So, where is the problem? First I found layout of the book simply terrible, it really hurts readability of otherwise more or less well-written chapters. You'll probably need a set of markers at hand while reading to make clear distinction of key words, wrapped syntax and dense sections. Extensive usage of boldface and lack of white space in this book makes this even worse and as such worthless for any kind of reference in the future (ok, this last one is perhaps too much to expect from cram book, after all ;-).

When I prepared for upgrade exam from Oracle 7.3 to 8.0 I used Exam Cram study guide as my primary source of information, ILT Courseware as second and Oracle technical manuals for detailed explanations on particular topics as third source of information. This time around I think ILT courseware is better exam preparation resource than Exam Cram book Oracle8 to 8i Upgrade. ILT is certainly more readable (thanks to clear layout) and more comprehensive at the same time.

Topics that I found incomplete or with missing explanation in this book are: LogMiner (incomplete description of V$ views), LOBS (temporary LOBS...), DBMS_REPAIR, FGAC (data dictionary views?), Constraint Changes in Oracle8i and last but not least, chapter on Resource Manager is a clear example of how NOT to present new feature in study guide.

You should also be careful while reading and answering the questions because some statements (answers) are wrong, for example false statement introduced in Oracle7.3 to 8 Upgrade book that makes you believe that partitioning of bitmap indexes was not possible in Oracle8 is still here, wrong definition of normalized / denormalized dimensions and unclear definition of prefixed index are also examples of possible misunderstanding of the topics.

So, the question is should you buy this book if you already have ILT? Don't forget that the main objective of Exam Cram books is to help you pass the exam (not necessarily help you to really *learn* something), I'm sure this book will deliver that promise. Those of you without ILT don't have much choice, Mr. Freeman book is still the best OCP 8 to 8i study guide on the market. Good luck!

The book is excellent in presenting the key facts for the exam.I recommend this book very strongly.I found some inaccurate facts though.

An example of an inaccurate piece of information :<< Look at page 71.It says "If you don't include the dictionary file the SQL REDO and SQL UNDO columns won't be populated ". >>

This fact is not correct.I tested this scenario and I found out that these columns will be populated.Without a dictionary file, the equivalent SQL statements will use Oracle internal object IDs for the object name and present column values as hex data but THEY WILL BE POPULATED.

I was very let down by this book, especially after being satisfied with Freeman's Oracle 7.3 to 8 Exam Cram edition. I urge extreme caution to anyone who believes this 8i Exam Cram covers the minimum material required to pass the exam.

Maybe I'm a bit rusty but I spent over 80 hours reading, reviewing and practicing tests out of this book. I passed all the sample tests therein with a very comfortable margin but was not able to pass the REAL TEST. Inaccuracies are one thing but the major omissions really killed me. Examples include specific subject matter related to LOB columns, partition joins, explain plan, Dimensions, post-8i CONNECT command, v8.1.6 features, transportable tablespaces, etc.

The book isn't a complete waste of time. I'd recommend reading it once, rather quickly. It obviously needs to be augmented by other study material, as I'm getting ready to find out.

I've just passed the test. That was the only exam preparation book I used to get prepared. Yes, a few questions from the real test were not covered BUT this book has everything you need to PASS. Excellent tutorial!

As the author, I want to address some comments made here about the book. First, it is true that there is some material on the 8 to 8i upgrade exam that is either not covered in the book, or is not covered in the depth that is required for the test. This is a result of at least one change to the exam during the creation of the book, and at least one significant change to the exam after the book was published. Also, the test covers a vast amount of new material, which makes prepping for it more difficult in my opinion.

Yet, I think you will find that the book still covers a large majority of the relevant topics that you will find on the exam. I think that you will find that this book will help prepare you for the test, and you should be able to pass the exam if you know all the material presented in this book.... I also think you will find this book more readable than other books out there. Finally, Supplemental reading and test exams can also help prepare you for the exam.

I hope that you enjoy the book and pass the exam with flying colors!

I did my 8.0 upgrade exam about 3 yrs ago, and I was rusty, really rusty. This book gave me everything I need to know, not just to pass the test,but also the professional knowledge gained is great.
The contents were well organised, and the practic test really geared me up for the real test.
Will recommend this is all you need to pass the exam, one time!!!.

This is the best material for the upgrade exam available in the market.I have studied this book and gone through a couple of chapters in the Oracle manual, I scored 92% in the exam. Need I say more!! Once again, THE BEST for the exam.

To prepare for the exam the Oracle ref. manual and practical experience/common sense is esential , no doubt about it. But this book gives a dimension and shape to your knowledge base which is essential for passing the exam. Robert we are indebted to you. By the way When 9i book is coming out !

Thanks

Santanu
Oracle 7 , 8 , 8i OCP

It's a very good cram, but it's a little bit confusing from times to times. Use it in combination with Oracle8i Tips & Techniques and you've got yourself enough preparation material for the exam.

I passed my upgrade exam with a pretty good score after using this book as my study source for about a week. There were several exam questions that I answered correctly because of what I learned from the text and sample questions in the book. It is well worth the price.